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BILLY GOATS MARCH ON TO JUBILEE CUP FINAL

Old Boys University have made the Jubilee Cup final for the third time in four years after a convincing 34-19 win over Oriental-Rongotai at the Hutt Rec on Saturday.

Enjoying a wealth of possession, OBU ran in five tries in a strong attacking performance but also defended strongly up until the final minutes of the game in what was sound preparation for next week’s mouth-watering final.

OBU were made to defend inside their own 22 for almost all of the opening 12 minutes of the game, and defend with great valiance they did. With the Magpies constantly peppering the OBU line, Ories failed to break through and the Ories error eventually came to relieve the Billy Goats.

Five minutes after finally getting out of their 22, OBU made their way deep into Ories territory thanks to a break from Te Wehi Wright which saw Zeke Sopoaga crash over moments later to open the scoring. 7-0

It didn’t take Ories long to respond though, using a maul to force their way over the OBU line as Luca Rees scored his sixth try in the Jubilee Cup to level the scores at 7-7.

OBU set the game alight with the next try as Sam Reid returned a deep Ories bomb. Jonathan Fuimaono broke free seconds later before linking up with Wright, who then on his way to ground found Matt Fowler as support for the man they call ‘Unit’ to score.

Matt “Unit” Fowler celebrating a great team try

Will Mangos crossed the chalk after several pick and go phases after the siren to send OBU into the half time break 19-7 – a healthy lead after playing into the wind for the opening forty.

A solid start to the second stanza was marked by a Greg Mullany penalty goal to put OBU’s lead beyond two converted tries.

That lead would shortly become 20 points after OBU won a turnover a few metres out from the Magpies’ line, seeing Tai Neli jig his way over a few phases later.

Teariki Ben Nicholas with the off load

Izzy Foai took the field and didn’t take long to do what he does best – score tries. After going close, OBU recycled and continued to hammer away at the Ories line before Foai buried his way over as OBU continued to dominate proceedings.

Adam Deck and Malo Tuitama scored tries at the death but it was all too little, too late for the Magpies as the Billy Goats secured their spot in the Jubilee Cup final.

It’ll be Northern United who challenge OBU for the Jubilee Cup title next Saturday after their 41-26 win over Hutt Old Boys Marist in the other semi-final.